I live in a Pokemon World.
That should have meant I live a pretty interesting life right, wellâŚnot really.
Donât get me wrong! Pokemon are awesome! I could never imagine living in a world without them!Â
But when it comes to my everyday life, itâs not anything to write home about.
I never went on any Pokemon Journey, never fought in any gym matches, never competed in any contests, and donât even have my own Pokemon yet.
It just wasnât in the cards for me at that point.
Fate is kinda funny like that.
I was just heading to a local restaurant in my city, a nice little mom-and-pop place that sold their typical burger and fries stuff. I figure I can get a quick bite to eat and head back home in no hurry.
As I walked towards the entrance of the restaurant I noticed something, or rather someone, standing just beside the restaurant's windows.
Standing on a concrete ledge by the glass entrance was a Squirtle.
The sight took me by surprise, not that they were not a common Pokemon around my area, but I never see one so far into the city without a water source nearby. You often see little groups of them around fountains or at park ponds.Â
But here was this Squirtle wistfully standing outside an eatery, scuffed up with dust and looking longingly at the patrons and their Pokemon eating inside. When the water type noticed me it startled a little before almost embarrassingly looking away.
I was stuck on what to do for a while, but Iâm ashamed to admit that in the end I headed inside.
There was a line to the front counter and as I stood waiting I would look back at the Squirtle who was still staring into the restaurant with that same longing and hunger.
I couldnât have been the only one who noticed it right?
People and Pokemon were entering and exiting the restaurant but not one of them had stopped or spared more than a spare glance to the Squirtle.
Maybe like me they assumed their trainer was inside? Maybe they thought that someone had already informed the local Pokemon Center? Maybe they thought Officer Jenny was on their way right now?
It shouldnât concern me.
I just wanted some lunch.
But the sight of that Squirtle bothered me in some way, right up until I placed my order.Â
Now standing out of line, with the receipt and number crumbled in my hand I finally decided to head out the door.
The Squirtle didnât notice me till I kneeled down by them. They were immediately on guard, flinching and readying themselves.
âHeyâ? I said, making my voice as soft as possible âAre you waiting for someoneâ?
They donât answer at first but then after awhile they give a small head shake.
âOhâ I mumbled, an uncomfortable pang thrums in my chest.
I kneel for an uncomfortable time before a sort of resolve comes to me, I stand back up and go to the glass door and open it facing the Squirtle.
âThenâŚ.want to join me for lunchâ?
The water-type blinked at me in shock âSquirtleâ?
I grimace awkwardly âYou donât have to!....just if your hungryâŚI donât mind the companyâ I say âFoods on me, so no worriesâ
The Squirtles eyes widen a fraction more before a large smile bursts out and theyâre racing inside.
I play it cool and contain my own smile, even as I see the Squirtle now at a booth and happily bouncing in place on the seat in a way that is just too adorable.Â
Before sitting down I go to the counter and make an additional order.
I sit opposite of the Squirtle who just looks simply content sitting in the faux leather booth. But soon enough the food arrives, the waitress setting down two trays of chili fries in front of me and the Squirtle.
The sight of the crisp golden fries topped with steaming red chili and gooey cheese had the Water Pokemon drooling and soon enough they were on the table grabbing hand-full of fries in their small blue claws.Â
I smiled and ate my own food at a much more moderate rate.Â
The food had me satisfied but the sight of that Squirtle filled me with something in me even more.Â
Soon enough both our trays were empty, what remained were just smudges of reddish red sauce. With extra care I took a napkin and wiped the Pokemon smooth blue face clean.
They fussed a little at the contact but didnât seem too bothered.
âWell, Iâm probably gonna take off nowâ I said getting up from the table, making sure to give the little Pokemon a polite smile âThanks so much for eating with meâ
The Squirtle looked a little put out, even as I gave them a friendly wave and made my way outside. I was satisfied with what Iâd done, I helped a Pokemon in need and got a little good karma out of it.
What I didnât expect was a clang of metal echoing behind me and a firm tug at my pants.
I looked to see the same Squirtle holding one little arm desperately to my leg.
âWhats upâ?! I asked almost in a panic âAre you okayâ?
The Squirtle said nothing but looked close to crying.
I noticed people and Pokemon in the parking lot beginning to stare and I got on one knee.
âIf you need help, I can call an Officer Jennyâ? I offered âOr their should be a Pokemon Center nearby-â
The water Pokemon shook their heads before hugging the front of my shirt.
I was frozen, unsure what to do.
Then a thought came to me.
âDoâŚyou want to come home with meâ?
The Squirtle looked up from my chest and nodded enthusiastically.
I bit my lip nervously âAre you sureâ? I asked âIâŚIâm not a trainer you know, Iâm not even too sure how to take care of Pokemonâ
The Squirtle didnât look bothered and smiled.
âSeriously! Are you sureâ?
The Pokemon just looked at me with a happy smile.
I didnât speak but sighed as I got up, gently prying the Squirtle off me.
âSquirtleâ? They said worriedly, but it split away as I held my hand out to them.
The water-type eagerly took it with both hands.
âIf your sure about thisâ I said to them with my own enthusiastic smile âThen Iâll try my very best to take care of youâ!
âSquirtleâ! The Pokemon said happily as I led them away back home.
As I sat on the bus with my new Squirtle beside me I contemplated what to call them. I never really liked how generalized Pokemonâs names were, always just addressing them by their breed names.
But what to call my new water-type friend.
âLeoâ I said, tasting how it sounded.
The Squirtle looked up at me curiously.
A Squirtle named Leo? Okay a little on the nose, but I promise I wasnât thinking of any turtle ninjaâs.Â
Instead I thought of the restaurant we meet at.
âLeoâ! I said again smiling, rubbing the top of the Squirtles blue head as they grinned up at me.Â
I live in a Pokemon world.
Iâm not a trainer, Iâm not a legend.
But I am a good friend to my Squirtle.Â